Tropical Storm Edouard – 2008-4

– Tropical Storm Warning continues for Cameron, LA westward to San Luis Pass, Texas. All other watches and warnings have been discontinued.

– The center of Tropical Storm Edouard was located 45 miles north-northeast of Galveston, Texas, moving west-northwest at 15mph. This should take Edouard over the I-45 and FM 1960 area within the next few hours. Maximum sustained winds are near 60mph and weakening will occur. Minimum surface pressure is 997mb.

– Tropical Storm force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the center. Sustained winds of 54mph were recently measured near Sabine Pass.

Discussion:

No change to forecast track or reasoning. Edouard is being steered by a mid-level 594dm ridge over the central/southeast U.S. Models disagree on what will happen with Edouard beyond 48 hours, but at that point it really doesn't matter. NHC continues Edouard on its current track to northeast of Midland by 7pm Wednesday. As noted previously, Edouard will be a great rain producer for parts of Texas.

Houston should primarily receive rainfall and sustained winds to 45mph, with some high gusts. Current radar shows outer rain bands moving into the I-10/Beltway 8 area as Edouard moves west-northwest. There is an intense area of convection on the southwest side that may impact downtown Houston in a few hours. Impacts should be short-lived as Edouard continues to move at 15mph.

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